Page:The New Forest - its history and its scenery.djvu/330

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List of the Birds of the New Forest District.
[APP.

Dartford Warbler. (Sylvia provincialis, Ks. and Bl.) Is sometimes very common in the Forest, and is generally to be seen in company with the whinchat. In some years, as in 1861, it is scarce. I have its nest, with two eggs, in my collection, taken by Mr. Farren, on Lyndhurst Heath, April 29th, 1862; but it is always difficult to find, as the bird frequents, in the breeding season, the thickest part of the high furze.

Goldencrested Regulus. (Regulus cristatus, Koch.) Not uncommon. Known throughout the Forest as "The thumb bird."

Great Titmouse. (Parus major, Lin.)

Blue Titmouse. (Parus cæruleus, Lin.)

Cole Titmouse. (Parus ater, Lin ) Far more common than the next.

Marsh Titmouse. (Parus palustris, Lin.)

Long-tailed Titmouse. (Parus caudatus, Lin.) Known throughout the Forest as the "Long-tailed caffin," or "cavin."

Pied Wagtail. (Motacilla Yarrellii, Gould.) Partially migratory.

Grey Wagtail. (Motacilla boarula, Lin.) After some hesitation, I have decided to put this bird among the residents. Yarrell (vol. i., 434) mentions it breeding near Fordingbridge, close to the upper boundary of the Forest.

Meadow Pipit. (Anthus pratensis, Bechst.) The "Butty lark," that is, companion bird, of the New Forest; so called because it is often seen pursuing the cuckoo, which the peasant takes to be a sign of attachment instead of anger.

Rock Pipit. (Anthus obscurus. Keys and Bl.) Inhabits the muddy shores of the south-eastern district.

Sky Lark. (Alauda arvensis, Lin.)

Wood Lark. (Alauda arborea, Lin.) Mr. Rake found its nest on Goreley racecourse, near Fordingbridge, on the 2nd of April, 1861, with three eggs.

Common Bunting. (Emberiza miliaria, Lin.)

Blackheaded Bunting. (Emberiza schœniclus, Lin.)

Yellow Hammer. (Emberiza citrinella, Lin.)

Cirl Bunting. (Emberiza cirlus, Lin.) I have had its eggs brought to me from the neighbourhood of Wootton; and Mr. Farren found a nest with three eggs in 1861, close to the village of Brockenhurst.

Chaffinch. (Fringilla cælebs, Lin.) The "Chink" of the New Forest.

House Sparrow. (Fringilla domestica, Lin.)

Greenfinch. (Fringilla chloris, Lin.)

Hawfinch. (Fringilla coccothraustes, Lin.) A few pair now and then certainly remain in the Forest to breed, though I have never been fortunate enough to obtain their eggs. Great quantities were killed at Burley in the spring of 1858.

Goldfinch. (Fringilla carduelis, Lin.)

Bullfinch. (Loxia pyrrhula, Lin.) Always to be seen very busy in November amongst the young buds just formed, in the cottage gardens near the Forest.

Starling. (Sturnus vulgaris, Lin.)

Raven. (Corvus corax, Lin.) Becoming very scarce. See Chapter XXII., pp. 269, 270.

Crow. (Corvus corone, Lin.)

Rook. (Corvus frugilegus, Lin.)

Jackdaw. (Corvus monedula, Lin.)

Jay. (Corvus glandaritis, Lin.)

Green Woodpecker. (Picus viridis, Lin.) "The yaffingale" and "woodnacker" of the Forest.

Spotted Woodpecker. (Picus major, Lin.) Both this and the next are known throughout the Forest as the "wood-pie."

Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker. (Picus minor, Lin.)

Creeper. (Certhia familiaris, Lin.) Builds in the holes of the old ash and thorn trees. See, however, Chapter XXII., p. 271.

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